President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Provincial Funeral in honour of the late former Robben Islander and Western Cape veteran Mr Vincent Diba, who has passed at the age of 59.

President Ramaphosa has declared a Special Provincial Funeral (Category 2), which entails ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service.

The funeral service will take place at Zolani Center in Nyanga East at 09h00 on Saturday, 7 September 2019.

Mr Vuyisile Vincent Diba was born on 15 September 1959 in the Mau-Mau location of Nyanga East; He was the fifth child of the late Jackie Mpunzima  Diba and Lienna Nongenile Diba.

Mr Diba is a past provincial vice-chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) and was a member of the first Western Cape legislature of the democratic dispensation.

Mr Diba, who lived in NY 5 in Gugulethu with his family, was steeped in liberation politics and was imprisoned on Robben Island for eight years as part of an 11-year sentence.

He headed the ANC Western Cape policy committee, served on the organisation’s national peace and stability sub-committee, and undertook also did an officer’s training course in India and Denmark in preparation for the integration of the statutory and non-statutory forces in South Africa.
In his early life, Mr Diba studied at John Pama Primary School and and matriculated at Langa High School in 1979.

He completed a degree from Robben Island in 1986. In 2004 he graduated from the University of South Africa as a social worker.

Diba also had a passion for playing rugby and became active in the ex-political prisoners association and Makana ferries business before being employed at the Robben Island Museum where he served as a school and public programme officer until ailing health caused him to retire in December 2017.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari will undertake a State Visit to South Africa in October 2019 to reinforce the strong bonds between the two countries and jointly develop responses to challenges affecting people and businesses in South Africa and Nigeria.

In the wake of public violence in South Africa and developments in Nigeria around South African businesses based in the West African country, President  Cyril Ramaphosa held discussions yesterday, Friday 6 September 2019, with Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Special envoy of The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.

The visit to Pretoria by the Special Envoy followed a recent meeting between Presidents Ramaphosa and Buhari in Yokohama, Japan, on the sidelines  of the Summit of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. 

In yesterday’s discussion, the Special Envoy conveyed President Buhari’s concern at recent events in South Africa, in the context of the strong and cordial relations that characterise the interaction between the two countries. 

President Buhari conveyed his commitment to the values of prosperity and the advancement of Africa that are shared by South Africa and Nigeria. 

Nigeria stands ready to assist South Africa in establishing the root causes of and developing sustainable solutions to the challenges concerned. 

President Buhari has undertaken that where challenges emerge in Nigeria, the Nigerian government will act against lawlessness and the targeting of South African assets in Nigeria. 

President Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa-Nigeria relations as being firm and strong and said  the two partners were resolute in their shared commitment to build an Africa at peace with itself and others.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President – 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned in the strongest terms a resurgence of public violence that claimed two lives in Johannesburg yesterday, Sunday 08 September 2019.

The President has also expressed his condolences to the families of the two persons who were reportedly and respectively stabbed and shot – the latter incident involving a large group of armed attackers.

The President has called on law enforcement agencies to maintain vigilance and firmness in dealing with individuals or groups who take the law into their own hands and violate the dignity rights of people without raising grievances with the relevant authorities.

President Ramaphosa applauded law enforcement agencies for arresting at least 16 people during yesterday’s operations to bring calm and order to Johannesburg.

“Government will not allow sporadic lawlessness and violence to disrupt the safety and livelihoods of millions of South Africans and the majority of foreign nationals in our country who are law-abiding and have the right to conduct their lives and businesses in peace,” said the President.

“Lawlessness, injury and death inflict a great psychological and economic cost that lasts long after victims are buried, arrests are made and streets are cleared. This cost holds back our country and undermines all the efforts we are making to grow a South Africa that offers opportunity to all who live in it.

“Lawlessness is a crime against our prosperity and stability as a nation, and those who want to upset our public order must expect to face the gravest impact of the law.”


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President – 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to anti-apartheid activist Adelaine Hain – mother of global human rights activist and senior British politician Lord Hain - who has passed away aged 92.

Born in Port Alfred, Adelaine Hain made her mark in defying apartheid and assisting oppressed communities – a commitment to which the apartheid State responded by banning her and later her husband, Walter, before forcing them into exile in the United Kingdom.

“Banning orders and arrests failed to extinguish Adelaine Hain’s patriotic struggle against an unjust system. She deserves our respect and gratitude for  mobilising her own family as much as she mobilised communities to dismantle apartheid,” said President Ramaphosa.

The President has offered his sincerest condolences to Lord Hain and his family. Walter Hain passed away in 2016.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President – 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has honoured the late rugby hero, Chester Mornay Williams, with a declaration of a Special Provincial Official Funeral (Category 2).

The 49-year-old veteran of the 1995 Rugby World Cup – and the first player of colour to represent the Springboks since the 1980s – passed away on Friday, 6 September 2019. Most recently, he was coach of the University of the Western Cape rugby side.

Mr Williams’ funeral will be held at the Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town at 12h00 on Saturday 14 September 2019 and will, in terms of the  declaration by the President, contain ceremonial elements that will provided by the South African Police Service.

President Ramaphosa has also instructed that the National Flag fly at half-mast in the Western Cape Province on the day of the funeral of Mr Chester Mornay Williams.

When the National Flag is half-masted, it should first be hoisted to the top of the flagstaff and then slowly lowered one third of the length of the flagpost from the top of the flagstaff.

Before the flag is lowered at sunset, or at the appointed time, it should first be hoisted to the top of the flagstaff.

Regulations require that no other flags (eg SAPS, SANDF, corporate flags etc) should be displayed when the National Flag is flown at half-mast.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President – 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 174(4) of the Constitution appointed Judge Zukisa Laura Lumka Tshiqi and Judge Stevan Arnold Majiedt as Judges of the Constitutional Court with effect from 1 October 2019.

The President has made these appointments after consulting the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa and the leaders of the parties represented in the National Assembly.

In terms of section 174(4) of the Constitution, the President, as head of the National Executive, appoints Judges of the Constitutional Court following consultation with the Chief Justice and leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly.

President Ramaphosa appointed Judges Tshiqi and Majiedt from a list of five nominees prepared by the Judicial Services Commission. The Commission conducted interviews in April 2019 following the discharge from active service of former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke and Justice Bess Nkabinde.

President Ramaphosa has expressed his confidence that Justices Tshiqi and Majiedt will further enrich jurisprudence at the apex Court which has served the nation with distinction throughout the democratic dispensation.

Judge Tshiqi, 58, holds a B Proc degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law.

She started her legal career as a Legal Coordinator at the South African Council of Churches from 1986 to 1989. She served her articles from 1989 to 1991 and practised as an attorney until 2005 when she was appointed as a Judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Johannesburg. 

Prior to her permanent appointment, Judge Tshiqi served on a part-time basis as a mediator, facilitator, and arbitrator under the Independent Mediation Service of South Africa (IMSSA), and at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) as well as a Mediator in the Land Claims Commission.

She acted at the Competition Appeal Court from 2007 to 2009. She was later appointed at the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2009. She has an acting stint at the Constitutional Court from November 2014 to May 2015.

Judge Majiedt, 58, holds the BA Law and LLB degrees from the University of the Western Cape. He was admitted as an advocate in 1984 and practised as such until 1995 when he was appointed as a Chief Provincial State Law Adviser in the Northern Cape Office of the Premier from 1996 to 1999.

In January 2000, Judge Majiedt returned to private practice as an advocate and this culminated in his appointment as an Acting Judge of the Northern Cape Division of the High Court. It was during that year that he was appointed as a permanent Judge of the Northern Cape Division of the High Court.

In December 2010, Judge Majiedt was appointed as a permanent Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Judge Majiedt acted at the Constitutional Court from February to May 2014.

He also served as a member of the National Association of the Democratic Lawyers (NADEL) from 1986 to 2000. He is the current Chairperson of the Rules Board for the Courts of Law and also a Council Member of the South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI). Additionally, he is the Chancellor of the Sol Plaatje University.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President – 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Media briefing on the report of the Public Protector on allegations the President violated Executive Ethics Code 

Members of the media are invited to a media briefing on the report of the Public Protector on allegations that the President violated the Executive Ethics Code. 

The briefing, to be addressed by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, will held today Sunday, 21 July 2019, as follows:
Date: Sunday, 21 July 2019
Time: 18h00 (Media to arrive at 16h00)
Venue: Union Buildings Media Centre, Tshwane

RSVP: Members of the media wishing to cover the briefing are requested to RSVP with Khutjo Sebata with their full details (Name, Media house, ID/Passport number, contact details) – 079 898 4621/khutjo@presidency.gov.za.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency 
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has delegated Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor to lead South Africa’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) later this month to allow the President to concentrate on critical issues in the country.

President Ramaphosa was due to participate in the 74th General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA74) and related global meetings in New York from 23 to 26 September 2019.

The President has decided to remain in South Africa to attend to the implementation of government’s urgent measures on gender-based violence, the  restoration of order and stability in areas affected by public violence, and to oversee initiatives to turn around the economy.

Over the next few days and weeks, President Ramaphosa will be meeting communities, civil society and structures of government on concrete actions to address public concerns and challenges.

Together with Cabinet colleagues - including the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster - the President and Deputy President will be focused on the implementation of plans outlined in the State of the Nation Address of June 2019 and the Presidency Budget Vote 2019/2020.

President Ramaphosa said: “This is a time for leadership from across society to mobilise their respective constituencies in support of economic progress and rebuilding the social and moral fabric of society.Government is stepping up its own contribution to this collective effort.” 


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President – 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially launch the first pilot site of the district-based coordination model dubbed ”Khawuleza”  at a Presidential Imbizo  in OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province on Tuesday, 17 September 2019.

In his presentation of the Presidency Budget Vote to the National Assembly on 17 July 2019, President Ramaphosa identified the “pattern of operating in silos in” in government as a challenge which led to “lack of coherence in planning and implementation and has made monitoring and oversight of government’s programme difficult”.

The President said the consequence of this challenge was non-optimal delivery of services and diminished impact on the triple challenges of poverty,  inequality and unemployment. 

In view of government’s own recognition of shortcomings in service delivery and in response to demands by citizens and institutions of civil society for improved delivery, Cabinet has adopted a new integrated district based approach to enabling development in the 44 districts and 8 Metros that constitute the country.

The new district-based coordination model aims to address service delivery and economic development challenges through the synchronisation of planning across all spheres of government, working alongside social partners such as business and community.

From planning to implementation in each district, government will consult social partners to ensure that development meets the needs of local communities and stakeholders and government will ensure that the local, provincial and national spheres have a shared plan to drive development in the district concerned.

Implementation will entail localised procurement and job creation to ensure that local businesses participate in and benefit from development, and that citizens in the district concerned are prioritised for employment on local projects.

OR Tambo District Municipality, Waterberg District Municipality in Limpopo and eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, have been identified as the first three pilot sites for the model. The OR Tambo District Municipality comprises the following local municipalities: King Sabatha Dalindyebo, Nyandeni, Ingquza Hill, Mhlontlo and Port St Johns.

Development will be pursued through single, integrated district plans enabled by the vision of “One District; One Plan; One Budget; One Approach”. This model has been endorsed by Cabinet, local government structures, traditional authorities and the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC).

This new approach will require - with effect from the 2020/21 Budget cycle - that national budgets and programmes be spatially referenced across the 44 districts and 8 Metros. Similarly, provincial government budgets and programmes will be spatially referenced to districts and metros in the respective provinces, while municipalities will express the needs and aspirations of communities in integrated development plans for the 44 districts and 8 Metros.

During the Imbizo, the three spheres of government will outline government’s 5 year consolidated plan for the OR Tambo District. The occasion will also provide opportunity for the community to engage government, as a whole, on societal challenges and further opportunities for development and partnership.

Members of the media are invited to the launch which will take place as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Venue: Zalu Hill Sport field, Ingquza Hill Local Municipality
Time: 11h00 


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President – 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the State Funeral of former President Robert Mugabe in Harare tomorrow, Saturday 14 September 2019.

The President’s attendance signifies South Africa’s regard and gratitude for the role played by the late former President Mugabe in his capacity as leader of Zimbabwe’s pre-independence liberation movement and as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe in support of South Africa’s struggle   against apartheid.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Defence Nosiviwe  Mapisa- Nqakula: Minister of Police General Bheki Cele, and Minister of State Security Ayanda Dlodlo.


 Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President – 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria